Disclaimer (since I forgot before): I don't own Laramie or any characters from the show, as much as I would love to take credit for them...
A/N: Wow. I want to thank the Laramie fandom wholeheartedly for the warm response I received to the first chapter. Judging by the relatively small number of fics available, I assumed the fandom was small; I didn't expect such an eager and encouraging response, so thank you!

Merry Christmas, and enjoy! I rewrote this chapter several times, trying to give it the same feel as the first, so I hope it's just as satisfactory as last chapter :)

Chapter Two

"Jess!"

He could hear his friend calling his name, but he couldn't seem to get his wits about him enough to form a reply. His hands were pressed tight over his face, as if the pressure would relieve the sharp, widespread pain there. He wanted to cry out; the sound was on the tip of his tongue, but even opening his mouth resulted in stabbing waves of pain.

"Jess!"

Slim again. The desperation in his voice would have caught Jess off guard if he hadn't been so focused on trying to ease the burning sensation all over his face and hand. If he hadn't lost that dang left glove on the trail, he'd at least have less pain to bear.

"Are you alright? Talk to me?"

Jess clenched his jaw to hold back and shout when Slim's hands gripped his shoulders hard, jarring his hands against his face.

"Doggone it, say something!"

Talk to him. Okay. Jess drew in a sharp breath and parted his lips as far as he dared, his words delivered harshly through clenched teeth. "Hurts. Hurts, Slim." The words were choked, punctuated by coughs as the thick, black smoke took its toll.

"What hurts?"

"Everything."

Simple though his response had been, it was about as plain as honest as any Jess could have given. The blast had thrown him back against the ground, jarring his whole body. His hands had clapped over his face the instant before pain set in, flaring up angrily and refusing to be soothed.

But now, Jess noted as he became slowly aware of his surroundings, he felt a cool sensation on his cheek. His burning skin drank up the cold moisture all too quickly, the relief fading as quickly as it had come. Then his other cheek was relieved of its heat for a moment, in the same way as the first.

Eager to thank the source of this blissful relief, Jess focused his energy on opening his eyes. His whole body felt heavy; he had been sedated before, and recognized the effects of sleeping medication almost immediately. A low moan escaped Jess's cracked, raw lips as his efforts were hindered by a strip of thick gauze would around eyes.

"Welcome back." The kindly old doctor's voice was comforting to Jess, and he relaxed against the pillows. "How are you feeling?"

Jess processed the doctor's words, still foggy from the sedative. It must be Doc Hansen that was relieving his burns. He nodded slightly. "S'good, doc."

"This salve works wonders, Jess," the doctor informed him, spreading a generous amount on his patient's forehead. "Your burns should be healed in a matter of weeks."

Jess swallowed slowly, wincing at the dryness of his throat. "Water?" he rasped, his voice even rougher than usual.

The floorboards creaked loudly as the doctor made his way to the water pitcher and poured a glass for Jess. The younger man greedily drained the glass in a few large gulps, and leaned back against the pillows, his thirst satisfied.

"Well, someone's going to be glad to see you're awake, boy," said the doctor lightly. "I'll get Sli-"

"Doc." Jess's tone was suddenly sharp and urgent, and he forced himself into a seated position with difficulty. He lifted his uninjured hand and gingerly touched the gauzy bandage over his eyes, truly aware of the clean wrappings for the first time. The memory hit him all at once like an explosion, clear and vivid.

"Can you open your eyes?"

Jess felt his eyelids flick open for a brief moment... or did they? Everything was still pitch black. He hadn't caught a glimpse of his partner's face, or the orange flames he could feel dancing all around them.

"Jess, calm down. It's alright." Doc Hansen placated his patient as best he could, hearing the desperate change in Jess's tone.

"Slim... I can't see."

Jess's hand began to tremble slightly against his head. "Doc, I'm blind," he said quietly, remembering the darkness after the flames had erupted.

"Easy, boy. Don't work yourself up."

"Don't work myself up?" Any calm in Jess's tone was now gone, pain and panic driving him to a further level of irrationality than usual. "I can't see a dad gum thing, and you tell me not to work myself up?!"

"Take it easy-" the old doctor began sternly, but was interrupted by the thunder of boots on wooden floorboards as Slim flung the door open and stamped in worriedly.

"Jess! Jess, it's me, Slim. Are you alright?" In a few long strides, the tall rancher closed the distance between himself and the bed where his partner lay.

Jess visibly relaxed at the sound of his friend's voice. "Slim," he whispered, drawing a shaky breath, "I'm-"

"I know." Slim laid a reassuring hand on the younger man's arm. "Doc told me everything. He said not to get your hopes up, but this may not be permanent."

Jess was silent for a moment, Slim's words registering in his mind. He nodded slowly, letting out a huff of air. "You mean I might see again."

"Yeah, pard. It'll take a little doin', but it's possible." Slim smiled ruefully. "You're gonna have to do your part and stay in bed so you can heal, though."

The corner of Jess's mouth quirked up in a sort of half-smile. "You know me, Slim. I can't stand to lay around useless for days at a time."

"Hey, don't talk like that," Slim admonished, squeezing Jess's arm lightly. "You'll be up and about in no time at all, just you wait."

Jess offered his friend a tight smile; as much as his raw, burned skin would allow. "Sure, Slim."

Slim wanted to say more, to further encourage Jess... but looking at the dark-haired man's face, wet with salve, and the clean, white bandage wound neatly around his head, he was at a loss for words. What do you say to a man facing a life of darkness? A man who would have to live every day not knowing if he would ever see anything else but pitch blackness? Slim shook his head and sucked in a long, deep breath, exhaling slowly. There was nothing he could say to help Jess at all, not unless his friend truly believed for himself that he had a chance to see again.

"How do I take care of him, doc?" Slim asked, reluctantly turning away from Jess to face the doctor.

Doc Hansen handed Slim a small jar. "This is a salve for his burns. Apply it several times daily, and keep a bandage on that hand until I say otherwise. Keep his eyes clean, and leave them bandaged until the burns have healed. I'll try to come out two or three times a week to check up on him. Alright?"

Slim nodded. "Alright." He looked back at Jess, who was restlessly shifting on the hard cot. "Ready to go home, pard?"

"You bet." Jess cautiously swung his legs over the side of the bed, his movements deliberate and uncertain. Standing slowly, he reached an arm reluctantly in Slim's general direction. "Help me, will you?"

Slim took his partner's arm, carefully guiding him towards the door. Jess took slow, hesitant steps, one arm stretched outward as a precaution, feeling for obstacles.

"I've got you, Jess," Slim promised, tightening his grip on the shorter man's arm. "Trust me?" Jess's outstretched arm dropped to his side in reply, and Slim guided him out onto the street. "See you soon, doc," he called over his shoulder, leaving a careful hand on Jess's arm as the dark-haired man climbed into the buckboard. "All set, pard?"

Jess's groping hands found the edge of the seat and gripped it tightly. "Ready."

Slim urged the team forward with a click of his tongue, and Jess flinched as the wagon jerked into motion. "Easy, Jess."

Jess relaxed some, settling back into the seat. "Just hold 'er steady, Slim."

Slim slowed the horses slightly, hoping that would give Jess some comfort. He glanced sideways at his friend sitting nervously beside him, relaxing some when he saw Jess' body grow less rigid. He turned his attention to the dirt road ahead, ignoring the stares and whispers of passersby as they took note of the bandage around Jess's eyes and the apparent damage to his face. He focused wholly on getting his best friend home to rest, inwardly swearing to do everything in his power to see that Jess's sight was restored.

He only hoped his efforts would be enough.

Again, please review! I'll try to update weekly, maybe a little sooner this time (since I didn't move very far forward with this chapter). Thank you so much for your support, and have a very Merry Christmas!